Test of govt’s legitimacy set to take centre stage in Dewan sitting

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to put his government’s legitimacy to the test as a special Dewan Rakyat sitting is set to convene tomorrow.

While there are a few critical agendas that must first be addressed and streamlined to ensure an orderly lower House, the vote of confidence mooted by Anwar himself is expected to take centre stage.

The motion was announced during Anwar’s first press conference as prime minister on November 24, after his critics from Perikatan Nasional (PN) openly challenged him to do so, further casting doubt on his majority to form the government.

Following the aftermath of the 15th general election, the unity government comprises 82 MPs from Pakatan Harapan (PH), 30 from Barisan Nasional (BN), 23 from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), six from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), three from Warisan, two from Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, and one from Parti Bangsa Malaysia, as well as a single independent MP.

The vote of confidence will prove that the unity government under Anwar is stable and would last a full term. 

Anwar had even stated that the scheduled confidence motion will allow him to lead the country with a clear mandate based on the support of the majority of MPs.

The Tambun MP clarified the matter during his recent audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

From a legal aspect, it isn’t needed. The attorney-general (AG) has also said that it isn’t needed because of the clear majority and the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong are also clear.

“The king took the views of the AG into consideration and asked whether I felt, as prime minister, a vote of confidence was needed as the numbers were clear – with the declarations from PH, BN, GPS, GRS, and several other smaller parties.

“I replied: Ampun Tuanku, this is not only about regulations and law. The matter has been brought up and I would like to lead the country with a clear mandate, the support of the majority of MPs. I am confident of obtaining it. If I can’t, then I will accept the will of the people,” he said previously.

However, this agenda will be number eight on the itinerary, according to a notice sent out previously by Dewan Rakyat secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin. 

Appointing new Dewan Rakyat speaker

The first agenda will be for the House to elect its speaker should there be a contest. 

Officially, Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun steps down as Dewan Rakyat speaker today. 

He was previously appointed speaker during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s tenure as prime minister and had remained under Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration.

If there is no contest, then the secretary of the House will announce his replacement.

At the time of writing, there were several names rumoured to take up the post – among them former Sg Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul.

For the deputy speaker post, names such as DAP’s Lanang MP Alice Lau and BN’s Cameron Highlands MP Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor have been touted.

All elected MPs are then scheduled to be sworn in following this agenda.

Fate of former Sabah Bersatu MPs

The fate of four Sabah parliamentarians who quit Bersatu is also set to be decided by the newly elected speaker.

The four in question are Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (Papar), Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (Batu Sapi), Datuk Matbali Musah (Sipitang), and Datuk Jonathan Yasin (Ranau).  

All four had run under GRS tickets instead of PN or Bersatu.

Armizan was recently appointed minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak affairs), and Khairul was named tourism, arts, and culture deputy minister.  

Beluran MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee is the only Sabah Bersatu member who contested under a PN ticket instead of GRS.  

In this regard, only the Dewan Rakyat speaker can establish if there is a need for all four to vacate their seats in accordance with Article 49A(3) of the federal constitution.

Article 49A, better known as the anti-hopping law, states that an MP, after having been elected to the Dewan Rakyat as a member of a political party, shall cease to be a member of the House if they resign from or cease to be a member of the party.

Many have since argued that the defection of these former Sabah Bersatu lawmakers did not trigger the anti-hopping law as they are still part of GRS. However, this will ultimately be decided by the speaker. – The Vibes, December 18, 2022